14
The group found a diner that was open late after the show. Wraith let everyone in on what was going on and had talked to Slade as well.
Dustin, who looked like he went nine rounds with Mike Tyson, was skeptical. “Why should we trust her? Colt, just cause you’re banging this chick, why should we believe her?”
Cyrus snarled. “That’s my sister, you’re talking about, asshole.”
“Sorry, Cy.”
“I’m still a little hesitant too. Something tells me that even though she is a hardass, she’s still trying to do the right thing. Besides, has Wraith or Cyrus ever lied to us?” Colt meant that and his friends knew it.
Trent rubbed his head looking at Holly who, for once, didn’t seem so threatening. She looked sad and a little remorseful. “Okay, Holly, I’m going to get on your side of this. If you’re just playing us for fools, there will be trouble.”
Holly shook her head in agreement.
Chris never really had any issues. He knew it was Davis’s fault Holly was pulled into this mess, to begin with. He thought Holly was pretty cool.
Dustin just sat staring at her with his arms crossed. He was always the one least likely to trust someone after they wronged him. “I’ll believe it when I see it. I don’t think she has enough self-control to just be on our side suddenly. I give it a day and she’ll fight with someone. Cyrus and Wraith, I trust.”
“So, what do we do now?” Trent adjusted his glasses, watching her facial cues. It was clear she was telling the truth. He just hoped Dustin wasn’t right about the fighting.
Colt leaned back, putting his arm around the back of Holly’s chair. “Use Davis’s weapon against him.”
Holly looked over at him and smirked. “And I know exactly how to do it…”
She shared her plan, and everyone agreed. Play it cool until time to strike. Exactly what her brothers always taught her. Something Holly never learned was control and patience, so it wouldn’t be easy. Looking over the men at the table, she realized that her brothers were trying to teach her all along right in front of her. Learning to think beyond herself. And most importantly, compassion and respect.
***
Date night was nerve-wracking. She hadn’t been on a proper date in a long time. Her last boyfriend never took her on dates, and it just felt awkward to have someone fuss over her. Holly stood in the hotel room bathroom looking at herself in the mirror. She hadn’t seen herself in anything but black band t-shirts or leather in years.
“Holly sit still. I can’t fix your hair with you fidgeting with your dress every five seconds,” Isis said as she curled her cousin’s hair.
“I look so girly.” Holly stuck her tongue out at her reflection with a giggle.
“You look like the old Holly.”
“Eh. I hate that wimp.”
Isis stopped and put her hands on her hips, glaring at her cousin through the mirror
“Okay. Calm down. I just don’t know why I need to dress like this.”
“Because you said you were sick of being Holly the badass. It’s time you try to be yourself again. I’m all done. How’s it look?”
“Like I’m pretending to be a real girl. Now I know how Pinocchio felt.”
“Oh, hush. You look pretty. Now go have fun. I’m meeting Gage for dinner. I have to go. I love you, and no fighting tonight. You better be on your best behavior.”
“Ugg. Fine.”
After Isis left, waiting for Colt was excruciating. Holly didn’t even expect him to show up at all. After the way she had been acting, she couldn’t blame him. She went to the hotel bed, sitting on the edge while fidgeting with her hair, silently waiting... waiting… waiting. Looking at the clock every few seconds, it seemed like a minute was an hour.
“Great. He’s late. I knew it. He’s not coming. Probably payback for everything I did. Girlfriend my ass.”
She dropped her head, playing with the hem of the white backless couture dress Isis had loaned her. Soft curls in a pretty updo fell around her face with light makeup. Nothing like her dark eyeliner liner and typical biker look.
A few minutes later, a knock came at the door.
Holly jumped. “Oh god. He’s here. Crap. Why did I wear this girly dress? I need to change.” She frantically shuffled around the room while another knock came. “Dang… Holly, you can do this. Be yourself. Just breathe.”
It took a few minutes for her to get the nerve to answer the door but mustered up the courage. She got up going to the door with shaky clammy hands and slowly turned the knob. Colt was already walking away.
“I should have known. She’s blowing me off.” He huffed, heading back down the hall.
She walked out to the hall. “Colt?” she said softly.
He turned back, seeing her smiling sweetly back at him. He walked back in his tailored suit looking more handsome than she had ever seen him. Colt handed her a single red rose and kissed her cheek.
“You look like a girl.” His eyes roamed over her with one side of his lip curling into a smile.
As his eyes lingered over her dress, his eyes widened with how beautiful she looked. So soft and feminine with a hint of sex appeal. Not the hard metal chick at all.
She frowned, looking down at herself. “I know. Too prissy, right? I’ll go change.”
He grabbed her hand, pulling her back to him. “No. No. I didn’t mean it like that. You look… soft and pretty. Beautiful. I like it.”
Holly could feel the heat in her cheeks rising, and she tried to will herself to keep from blushing. She felt like one of those silly, giggly girls who always gushed over the Retribution crew. Ones she always prided herself on not being.
“Ready?” Colt reached out his arm for her to take it.
She smiled and agreed. This was going to be the perfect night or a total disaster.
